Rule Britannia: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Rule Britannia is a song, originating from the poem Rule Britannia by James Thomson, and put to music by Thomas Arne in 1740. The song was included in a masque, Alfred, co-written by Thomson and David Mallet and first performed at Cliveden, country home of Frederick, Prince of Wales.

When Britain first at Heav'n's command Arose from out the azure main; This was the charter of the land, And guardian angels sang this strain;

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

The nations not so blest as thee, Shall in their turns to tyrants fall; While thou shalt flourish great and free, The dread and envy of them all.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise, More dreadful from each foreign stroke; As the loud blast that tears the skies, Serves but to root thy native oak.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame, All their attempts to bend thee down Will but arouse thy generous flame; But work their woe, and thy renown.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

To thee belongs the rural reign; Thy cities shall with commerce shine; All thine shall be the subject main, And every shore it circles thine.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

The Muses, still with freedom found, Shall to thy happy coast repair; Blest Isle! With matchless beauty crowned, And manly hearts to guide the fair.

Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves: Britons never will be slaves.

The melody was the theme for a set of variations for piano by Ludwig van Beethoven (WoO 79).

Rule Britannia is traditionally performed at the BBC's Last Night of the Proms, normally with a guest soloist (past performers have included Bryn Terfel, Thomas Hampton, and Felicity Lott). However, in recent years the inclusion of the song and other patriotic tunes has been much criticised - notably by Leonard Slatkin - and the presentation has been amended.

See also: UK topics

Rule Britannia is also a novel by Daphne du Maurier.